Background and Purpose: Purpureocillium lilacinum (previously known as Paecilomyces lilacinus ) and Paecilomyces variotii cause hyalohyphomycosis. Case report: In this study, we present a case of multiple subcutaneous abscesses of the lower limbs due to Purpureocillium lilacinum in a patient with myasthenia gravis and uncontrolled diabetes. Subcutaneous involvement of the lower limbs with this fungus is an unusual presentation. Pus aspirate collected on multiple occasions revealed hyaline septate hyphae under microscopic examination and Purpureocillium lilacinum grew on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar ...

Background and Purpose: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare and serious disease causing acute renal failure. Diabetes is a major risk factor for this infection. Case report: Herein, we present the case of a 55-year-old female patient with diabetes and EPN caused by Candida albicans . The infection was complicated with endophthalmitis and endocarditis. The results of antifungal susceptibility analysis showed that C. albicans was resistant to fluconazole and susceptible to amphotericin-B and itraconazole...

Background and Purpose: Candida -associated denture stomatitis is one of the most common forms of oral candidiasis among denture wearers. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the antifungal effects of home-generated ozonated water on the adhesion of the C. albicans attached to the surface of the denture base acrylic resins. Materials and Methods: For the purpose of the study, different concentrations of C. albicans were added to the tubes containing acrylic resin blocks, and then incubated for 2 h at 35°C...

Background and Purpose: Herbal toothpastes are more secure and efficacious and less poisonous due to containing natural chemicals as compared with the synthetic toothpastes. The present study aimed to formulate a polyherbal toothpaste using accessible medicinal plants in Iran and evaluate its efficiency in the protection of oral hygiene and prevention of dental caries. Materials and Methods: The developed toothpaste was made of the leaf extracts of Artemisia dracunculus , Satureja khuzestanica (Jamzad), and Myrtus communis (Linn), combined at four different dilutions, namely 1:4 (25%), 1:1 (50%), 3:4 (75%), and (100%), with sterile distilled water...

Background and Purpose: Candidemia is one of the most important fungal infections caused by Candida species. Infections and mortality caused by Candida species have been on a growing trend during the past two decades. The resistance of yeasts to antifungal drugs and their epidemiological issues have highlighted the importance of accurately distinguishing the yeasts at the species level. The technique applied for yeast identification should be fast enough to facilitate the imminent initiation of the appropriate therapy...

Background and Purpose: Catheter-related blood circulation infection is the most dangerous and serious side-effects of vascular catheters, which leads to the enhancement of the costs, mortality, and hospital stay duration, especially in the Intensive Care Unit. Regarding this, the aim of the current study was to identify the prevalence of catheter-induced candidemia in the Tehran Heart Center, a heart hospital in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on patients admitted to Tehran Heart Center for a minimum of 7 days during 18 months...

Background and Purpose: Aflatoxins are naturally produced by some species of Aspergillus, such as A. flavus and A. parasiticus . Aflatoxins reportedly have carcinogenic effects on human, poultry, and livestock, and therefore could be linked to severe human illnesses. Aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway involves different clustered genes, including structural, regular, and unassigned genes. The present study was conducted to detect aflR, aflP, and aflD as three important genes contributing to aflatoxin B1 production cycle in Aspergillus species isolated from the feedstuffs of animal husbandry...

Background and Purpose: Cryptococcus. magnus is a non- Cryptococcus neoformans species isolated from certain plants, soil, air, and arctic glaciers. Case report: This report describes a case of a 23-year-old Iranian female with pruritus and vaginal irritation. Conventional tests and molecular analysis of the samples of vaginal discharge were performed. The mentioned analyses revealed Cryptococcus magnus as the causative agent of vaginal infection. The minimum inhibitory concentration analysis revealed that this species is susceptible to itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, and amphotericin B...

Background and Purpose: Candida parapsilosis is a common cause of candidemia in children and patients with onco-hematological diseases, septic arthritis, peritonitis, vaginitis, and nail and skin infections. Regarding this, the present study was condcuted to evaluate intra- and inter-species variation within beta-tubulin DNA sequence of C. parapsilosis complex in order to establish the utilization of this gene in the identification and phylogenetic analysis of the species. Materials and Methods: A total of 23 isolates representing three different species of C...

Background and Purpose: There are controversial findings regarding the efficacy of antifungal drugs in the treatment of a ruptured eardrum following fungal infections. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the co-administration of antifungal and antibacterial agents in the treatment of otomycosis with tympanic membrane perforation. Materials and Methods: This analytical, clinical trial was conducted on 87 patients with otomycosis showing no bacterial elements in the direct observation and culture...

Background and Purpose: Candida dubliniensis is closely related to the most pathogenic and prevalent yeast, namely C. albicans. Candida species can opportunistically overgrow in vulnerable individuals and cause a variety of diseases. The current study aimed to identify and isolate C. dubliniensis species present in the Candida albicans species complex identified in the oral cavity of drug abusers. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 53 strains of C...

Background and Purpose: To the best of our knowledge, no information is available regarding the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis in gynecological practices. The goal of this study was to analyze the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and the drugs prescribed for the treatment of this condition in women followed in gynecological practices in Germany. Materials and Methods: All the women followed in 262 gynecological practices between November 2014 and October 2016 were included in this study...

Background and Purpose: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is one of the most common infections in female genital organs, which is caused by Candida species. Candida albicans is the causative agent of more than 80% of infections, and the role of non- Candida strains in the disease etiology is less prominent. The expansion of Azoles resistance among C. albicans strains is considered an important medical problem. According to previous studies, Vitex agnus-castus (vitex) has some antimicrobial effects...

Background and Purpose: Patulin is one of the important mycotoxins, produced by a wide range of molds, including Penicillium , Aspergillus, and Bysochlamys. Patulin is mainly found in the rotten parts of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, pears, peach, apricots, and grapes. Currently, the Codex Alimentarius and Food and Drug Administration have recommended a maximum level of 50 µg/L patulin for apple products. The purpose of this study was to investigate patulin contamination of apple juice and cans in 75 samples collected from 15 manufacturers in Shiraz, southern Iran...

Background and Purpose: Onychomycosis is fungal infection of the nails with an overall increasing incidence, worldwide. The epidemiological aspects of onychomycosis in Khuzestan, Iran, have not been established. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and mycological status of fungal nail infection in Khuzestan Province, Iran. Materials and Methods: The study population included 433 patients (143 males vs. 290 females). Nail samples underwent primary direct microscopy and culture...

Background and Purpose: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common problem in women. The purpose of this study was to identify Candida isolates by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) from women with vulvovaginitis that were referred to Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 65 clinical samples isolated from women that were referred to Ghaem Hospital. All specimens were identified using phenotyping techniques, such as microscopy and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar and corn meal agar...

Background and Purpose: Candida parapsilosis is a predominant species found in nosocomial infection, particularly in hospitalized patients. The molecular epidemiology of the clinical strains of this species has not been well studied. The present study was performed with the aim of investigating the microsatellite genotyping of Candida parapsilosis among the Iranian clinical isolates. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 81 independent clinical C. parapsilosis isolates that were genotyped by using a panel of six microsatellite markers...

Background and Purpose: Soleshine is a polyherbal preparation established in the market for the treatment of cracks and tinea pedis, which is applied externally. This preparation is composed of the extracts of indigenous plants, namely Azadirachta indica, Lawsonia alba, and Shorea robusta , mixed with castor oil and sesame oil. In the present study, an attempt was made to identify the constituents of soleshine and identify some potential drug-like molecules that can inhibit important drug targets of the dermatophytes using molecular docking method...